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Best possible way to smoke tail lights

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  #16  
Old 11-13-2015, 11:11 PM
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Originally Posted by robdeniro0
They charged me $125 which sounds pricey but I tried the Lamin-X first on my own which looked bad to say the least, mostly because of my lack of skills to do the job. But honestly once I saw the end product of what the wrappers did it felt like I received a bargain as I don't like to skimp on my ride..
So it's wrapped all around other than the clear rear lights?
 
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Old 11-14-2015, 04:11 AM
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Originally Posted by Geno
So it's wrapped all around other than the clear rear lights?
It was fully wrapped and then the clear parts were cut out.
 
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Old 02-18-2018, 06:02 AM
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I did my '13 Panamera in 3 steps:

1. Tinted clear area red
2. "Faded" smoke from top to bottom (almost nothing at bottom & masked off the back up light)
3. Clear coated entire lens

Has done wonders at reducing the "big ***" effect, looks cool yet classy & custom and in the day light its looks killer because its not 100% smoked out...




This is the best overall pic and how it looks in day light...



Getting towards dusk, so when lights are on, color seperation seems more drmatic
 
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Last edited by CIMMA; 02-18-2018 at 06:08 AM.
  #19  
Old 02-18-2018, 07:51 PM
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Did you tint them yourself? (Nice flip flops)
 
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Old 02-19-2018, 06:26 AM
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Yes, tinted them myself with VHT and spray clear coat. Trick is to allow the spray to warm up a bit so the spray mist is finer, also, I put on 6 coats of clear and then wet sanded and polished and waxed ALOT! Its not as easy to do the fade, if I was to do it again, I would have a pro spray them for me.
 
  #21  
Old 02-19-2018, 10:08 AM
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Just got my 2014 Panamera in December 2017, 13K miles

Its a Florida car, the previous owner hadn't tinted the windows but they went to the trouble of Painting & Clearcoating the Tail lights dark brown to match the body. They do look really nice and are professionally done.

Probably not even legal being this dark but I haven't been pulled over yet.



 

Last edited by lesliew; 02-19-2018 at 10:12 AM.
  #22  
Old 02-24-2018, 05:44 PM
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For a modern OEM look, you can also just use red laminex to cover the clear section of the lense.

 
  #23  
Old 07-06-2019, 04:21 AM
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Originally Posted by Mofongo
I just applied Lamin-X a few weeks ago. It's OK-ish as long as you don't look too closely.

The material was not tall enough to cover the full height of the tail light in the middle, so there is a gap of about a quarter inch along the bottom. Fortunately the lens is fairly dark red down there so the missing tint isn't too obvious. But I know the gap is there. Also, you can still see minor surface ripples from a few feet away if you stare at the lights. That's not a big deal but it does make it obvious that it is covered by a film.

I wanted to try the Lamin-X as an experiment to see if I liked the tint. I will probably remove it at some point and get them professionally painted.
Yes, exactly the same issue I had to face 3 years ago on mine PPTS, so much effort was wasted to get this LAMIN-X film to Europe....Later got refund from them, but anyway... (photos attached)

P.S> here is one and the only review from their web-shop:

2011 Porsche PanameraDoes not fit. I struggled with it for about an hour until i just gave up a threw it out. Followed the instructions as well but still did not fit. Waste of time and money.
Review by Stefan Posted on 6/4/18









 
  #24  
Old 07-06-2019, 08:46 AM
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Laminex is not the right process - IMHO - they use adhesive backing, you want a product that works like a window tint.

But I like the idea of taking to a shop that does this stuff all day long - I have a really good window tint shop, I'll check with him to see if he does lights too.
 
  #25  
Old 07-06-2019, 06:40 PM
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Had the tint shop do it when they were tinting the windows.
they sent the taillights out to a auto body shop to smoke the tails (medium).
they sanded the smoked lights to a smooth surface, and then added a layer of paint protection film.
 
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Old 07-10-2019, 10:42 AM
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Cool

Just had mine re-sprayed with tinted clear to cover whole light. Very pleased with results




 
  #27  
Old 07-10-2019, 11:15 AM
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I went with VVivid Air-Tint Smoke Black Gloss when I did mine, fairly easy to do (had my 9 year old daughter help me)
 
  #28  
Old 07-10-2019, 12:36 PM
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Vvivid is the best film solution in my opinion - it has air release underneath to remove bubbles where possible (makes application way easier) and is a gloss finish.

Lamin-x is the worst. I got in touch with them about it, too - no response.

Other option is to do as a couple others have done and have them tinted professionally without film (best way to go).

I did vvivid and came out like so:

 
  #29  
Old 07-11-2019, 02:45 AM
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Originally Posted by RDR142
Just had mine re-sprayed with tinted clear to cover whole light. Very pleased with results
P.E.R.F.E.C.T.
more details about spray and whole technology possible ?
 
  #30  
Old 07-11-2019, 06:41 AM
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Originally Posted by negb
P.E.R.F.E.C.T.
more details about spray and whole technology possible ?
Thanks negb. to be honest, i am not sure the exact mix (clear:black/tint) that the body shop used. the basic process is to prep lights for paint/clear coat, then black color is mixed with clear to achieve a darker/tinted clear coat color. i'm sure if you have a body shop near you that you trust, they most likely have experience with this process. i'm sure they could spray a couple test panels to make sure you end up with the shade you want.

if you choose not to spray with tinted clear, vvivid film appears to have the best product and results
 


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